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Gerlos Ski Resort
Head east of Zell am Ziller, along the zig zagging Gerlos Alpine Road and into the Gerlostal Valley. This is the mountain pass where Tyrol meets Salzburg, with sights of woods, waterfalls and the peaks of the High Tauern National Park. And this is where you’ll find Gerlos.
A small settlement on the valley floor - meadows and forests stretching out on either side - Gerlos was once a humble 14th century farming village, but now the community includes the hamlets of Schwarzach, Gmünd, Ried, Au, Mitterhof, Oberhof and Innertal. It all feels gloriously traditional: timber houses have scalloped trimmings and ornate balconies while an onion-domed church pokes in the skyline.
The new Dorfbahn gondola gives piste access straight from the village centre, taking the load off the Isskogelbahn which operates on the outskirts. Both whisk you up into the Zillertal Arena - the biggest ski area in the Zillertal valley with 143km of pistes shared between Gerlos, Zell am Ziller, Gerlosstein, Wald- Königsleiten and Krimml-Hochkrimml. You can ski back to the Dorfbahn and Isskogelbahn base stations on red runs at the end of the day.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Zillertal, Austria
Established: 1999
Open: December – April
Downhill: 143km
View our detailed Gerlos snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Gerlos snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Innsbruck (INN) | 82km, 1h15 |
| Salzburg (SLZ) | 178km, 2 hours |
| Munich (MUC) | 205km, 2h20 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2500m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 580m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1300m |
| Longest run: | 9km |
| Slope Orientation: | |
| Vertical Drop: | |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 143km |
| Beginner slopes: | 30% |
| Intermediate: | 62% |
| Advanced slopes: | 8% |
| Lift Pass Price: | €242 (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Gerlos
The Haberlift drag (between the Dorfbahn and Isskogelbahn lifts) serves a beginner slope, with more practice runs and a kinderland around the Arena Centre. From the Dorfbahn top station, the Ebenfeld slopes are gentle blues, which you can connect up with via the Isskogel run for a longer descent that winds its way past rockface, mountain huts and spectacular views of the Alps to your right.
Confident intermediates really get to roam here. Isskogel and Ubergangsjoch are linked by the cruisey corduroy #21 runs that look out to Wilde Krimml, while above Zell am Ziller, all but one of the pistes are graded red. As the ski day draws to a close, piste #31 forks off to let you ski back to the Dorfbahn and Isskogel base stations, depending on where you’re based in resort.
Black runs include two pistes that lead down to the Dorfbahn middle station, and the 2.5km Krummbach. There are more streaming down from Konigsleitenspitze – carry on down to the Motelstret run, then take the unpisted track that branches off from it to the Isskogel base. If that doesn’t leave your thighs burning, head over to Ubergangsjoch and ski the 8.4km valley run into Zell, which finishes on a steep black. On good snow days, there’s some brilliant freeriding between the pistes.
Freestylers have the Snowpark Gerlos by the Vorkogel lift, which covers 30,000 square metres with small, medium and big obstacles from 2020m altitude. There’s also a hundred metre halfpipe at the Fussalm.
Gerlos Apres Ski
This might be a pint-sized resort, but it has a rather impressive après ski scene. Little London is a long-time favourite, open from 4pm – 9pm with DJ’s and dancing. Lughi’s Turbobar by the Isskogel station has a good party scene, and stays open later until around 11pm, as do Cin Cin and Country Club with their live music acts.
We like Almbar for drinks in the sunshine, and Seppi’s does lovely wood-fired pizzas to refuel you after a day on the snow. For a traditional meal on the mountain, try and get one of the outdoor tables at Rossl Alm and feast on stew and strudel as you ogle countless peaks.
In terms of other activities, there’s the Hainzenberg sledding run, which is often floodlit well into the night. Winter horse-riding is popular here, with the lovely Kammerlander family leading hacks through gorgeous valleys.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Gerlos
Best time to visit & ski Gerlos
With top heights of 2500m above Zell am Ziller and 320 hectares of the ski area covered by snowmaking, the area is well set up for good snow conditions. February is usually the best month for snowfall, with snow depths tending to thin out as spring approaches.
Peak Dates
Spend Christmas in Gerlos, enjoying the traditional setting and exploring the Zillertal Arena.
Most seasons see a big party by the beginner slopes with a torchlight descent and fireworks to see in the New Year in Gerlos.
Half Term in Gerlos usually gets some of the best snow conditions of the year, with plenty to give families and teachers a fun and relaxing week in the mountains.
There are a number of traditions honoured over Easter in Gerlos, including a big bonfire being lit on Holy Saturday, followed by mass in the parish church.
Families in Gerlos
Mascots help make family skiing fun in this neck of the woods: the Arena Kids Club looks after one year olds and up, with the help of mascot Billy in the Kindergarten at the Isskogelbahn top station. Meanwhile, FUNty the yellow elephant makes sure children enjoy skiing – tots from two can learn with a mixed lesson and kindergarten programme, while those aged three and up can enrol in full day ski school. Last time we checked, under sixes qualified for a free ski pass, while teens could get youth discounts. Older kids will love zooming down the Hainzenberg sled slope, and horse rides through the valley make for a memorable family activity.
GroupsGroup Holidays Gerlos
This lively little village makes a cracking base for groups, who can set off and explore the Zillertal Arena by day, then gather for drinks and dancing come nightfall. If some of you are taking lessons, opt for a private instructor where you can learn together – or more experienced skiers and boarders can hire a guide to show them the best off piste. Bring a car and you can take a road trip to nearby resorts like Mayrhofen for a change of scene.
Which are the best ski holidays in Gerlos?
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